they will unquestionably discharge before long; but if
your highness continues to act thus to their representative, in despite
of his inviolable character, and in defiance of treaties wherein it is
specified that the persons and families of consuls are to be held
sacred, you may rest assured that no civilised nation will continue to
treat with you."

"What care the Deys of Algiers for the persons of consuls, which you
deem so sacred?" said Omar savagely. "Hast thou not heard that in time
past we have blown the consuls of refractory nations from the months of
our cannon?"

"I have," replied the Colonel calmly, "and I have also heard that
Algiers has been several times bombarded, and nearly reduced to ashes.
I do not presume to use threats to your highness," added the consul
firmly, though respectfully, "but I am here as spokesman of these
representatives of various powers, to assure you that if you do not
release the consul of Denmark immediately, we will all write to our
respective governments to send vessels of war to remove us from a court
where the law of nations is not respected."

Omar attempted to bluster a little more, but had sense enough to
perceive that he had already gone too far, and at length consented to
grant the consuls' demands. The condemned consul was immediately set at
liberty, and his brethren returned to his residence in the same manner
as they had left it, with this difference, that the French and English
consuls walked in front, with the representative of Denmark between
them.

This incident, as may be imagined, did not improve Omar's temper.
Immediately after it, he issued some stringent decrees in reference to
the slaves, and ordered the execution of six chief men of the State,
whose presence in the city had been a source of danger to the
consolidation of his power. Among other things, he made some stern laws
in reference to runaway slaves; and, having his attention drawn to the
fact that the scrivano-grande of the late Achmet, and his assistant
secretary, had not yet been discovered, he not only ordered the search
for them to be continued with increased diligence, but took the unusual
method of offering a reward to any one who should find or bring news of
them.

This caused the matter to be widely talked about, and among others who
heard of the proclamation was a little Moorish girl named Ziffa.

Now this Ziffa was the only daughter of Hadji Baba, the Court
story-teller, who, like t